The best novels and novellas out there have some key elements that make them resonate with a wide range of readers. Here are seven tried-and-true tricks for writing better fiction, whether you're writing romance or a sci-fi epic.

When writing a fantasy story, creating a realistic fantasy world map that will help readers see your vision is essential. In order to create your map, there are some basic scientific laws that have to be followed.

Having a hard time sleeping at night? Searching for inspiration to create your own horror story from scratch? Let me introduce you the online manifestation of the horror genre—creepypasta.

Magic uses all kinds of ingredients for making potions and performing spells. As a writer, it's good to have lots of options so your writing won't be the same as other stories.

Do you ever find yourself struggling to describe a character in your novels or short stories? Maybe you always have a hard time channeling your main character's inner thoughts. These helpful tips will give you insight on how to create meaningful characters.

The more unique or unusual ways you can describe colors, the better your writing will be. Don't be one of those writers that just mails a color description in.

Fanfiction has shaped me as a writer, more than creative writing classes or self-help books. Find out what lessons fanfiction has taught me, and how they made me a better writer.

What does that mean? Well, delicious as in appealing in some way. And a baby bird because they have to be in trouble in a way that makes people care. How do you do that?

Writing fantasy is hard work, and sometimes it's easy to get lost—whether you're a beginner or a pro. These tips will remind you about the most important aspects of fantasy worldbuilding.

Some tips on how to write a villain that's actually effective.

This article lists 20 inspirational quotes for writers. Some are by famous authors and some are by lesser-known ones, but they all have the effect of making you feel excited and motivated to write again!

Push the limits of your imagination with these creative writing exercises.

Writing is a solitary, and often lonely endeavor, but it doesn't have to be. With technology enabling us to reach across the globe, writers can connect with others for comradery, inspiration, feedback and advice. If you are a writer, consider joining these great online writing communities.

Looking to amp up your creative writing skills? In this article we'll go over many different types of disaster elements you can incorporate into your story.

Fanfiction writers have many reasons why they write fanfiction. Here are 13 of them.

Finding inspiration to write can be tough, especially if writer's block has you in its clutches. This article details five methods to defeat your procrastination and get writing again.

A summary of cliche plots found in romance novels. The heroine doesn't know how attractive she is. She meets a rich businessman who whisks her off her feet. It takes them a while to trust each other.

Many new authors sit and stare at a blank page. They have no idea where to start. Some think there is a magic formula to get them going. There are many suggestions as to how to get your book started, and I offer a few here.

A writer is always looking for interesting ways to kill off certain characters.

The article provides information about eleven flash fiction competitions that are free to enter most of which have cash prizes. Additional submission information and resources for the listed sites are offered.

Emulate the greatest authors in the English language. Improve your creative writing with 5 key concepts taken from literary masterpieces as observed by an English scholar.

Writer's block? Get inspired by these five unconventional ideas for a science-fiction piece.

Learn to prioritize your writing. Sometimes that simply means sitting down and doing nothing other than . . . writing. Here are some tips and motivational words to get you started. In fact, after reading this article, why not start writing?

Need help getting your characters' conversations to sound natural? Take some time observing people when you're out and about!

The overuse of words in writing can really ruin a piece. The writing will tend to sound juvenile and will definitely reflect poorly on the author. Learn how to avoid this. You might even be encouraged to self-edit.

Psychologists have identified six basic, nearly universal, human emotions. How can you use these for more effective writing?

This article is focusing on how to keep your characters organized in your stories.

Chances are you've encountered these plots many times. Have you gotten bored of them? Check out ways to diversify your writing so you won't use the same plot over and over again.

If you want to be a villain, then you better give yourself a good name. Find one here.

It's hard to speak in absolutes about this subject, but here are some things to consider when it comes to the subject of realism in fiction.

Fans of fictional franchises sometimes like to put their literature skills to work and make stories about their favorite media called "fanfiction." But how do you write a good fanfiction? Here's how.

Villains are just the best characters to write. Your baddie needs to be just as good as your goodie . . . or something like that. Find out how to write a believable baddie.

What are the minimum and maximum word limits for different types of stories? What are the word limits by genre and how can writers stay within those limits? Find out here with this easy list.

To what degree should you consider your audience when writing? How important is it? Should the audience even be considered at all? An experienced writer contemplates these questions and more.

Learn how to craft effective characters by showing their personalities rather than telling them.

Understand the difference between showing and telling to make your writing more interesting and engaging.

Let's review the basic key elements of fiction writing. You might think you have a handle on them, but some people need a refresher.

Everyone has their own way of writing their stories out. If you interviewed a dozen bestselling authors, they’d all have their own unique ways. No two write exactly the same. That tells you that there is no one formula, but there are certain methods that do help.

Short stories are making a comeback! But what makes a good short story?

Want to make your book stand out from the crowd? Avoid these overly used, cliche, tired tropes when approaching YA fiction and you're sure to be recognized positively.

Ever wonder what happened to readers in the past century? Have television and film become the only acceptable forms of storytelling? Let's find out together.

If persistent writing blocks are keeping you from moving forward with your writing, read 'The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity'.

A guide on how to create a three-dimensional, likable, believable character for your story.

Historical fiction writers tend to make the same writing mistakes, at least the less experienced. Here are the top 7.

The mystery genre has had a long history that has worked well in novels, novellas and short stories. Mystery flash fiction takes discipline to fit all the elements into the confines of 1,000 words.

Learn about what an extended metaphor is. Here I use my own model of writing about a walk that taught me that sometimes life presents us with a metaphor and teaches us a lesson.

Master the plot, structure, and monomyth/hero's journey; analyze what fantasy novels have in common; construct a story outline and start writing a fantasy novel for yourself.

Stereotypes can be useful to a writer in a pinch, but they can put us in a hard place when we need to break that mold. Learn how to add depth to a character that is traditionally one-dimensional.

Short stories can be difficult but with these tips you can soon write a great, in-depth, and descriptive short story.